Mechanism for controlling the dynamics of pneumatically-operated musical instruments



May 1, 1928. 1,668,159

H. J. LA JOIE MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE DYNAMICS OF PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 12, 1325 4 Sheets-Sheet f z i fi q ffi .Piarza Aata'aia Warm m, rm, flw

May 1, 1928. 1,668,159

H. J. LA JOIE MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE DYNAMICS OF PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 12, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 631/ for Z. 7:; 16mm Ziaf/ 25 Ever/Invites Ewe/m May 1, 1928 H. J. LA JOIE MECHANISM FOR CGNTROLLING THE DYNAMICS OF PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 12. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 62 em w Filed Au win-d fi/v4c'a z azz zzemwar'a'ca,

H. J. LA JOIE May 1. 1928.

MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE DYNAMICS OF PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 12, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @wner kz'l 0 9220)! I m a o E U If Kael- LDDDDOODDDDDUDDDU illlllllllllv l'l.

Patented May 1, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,668,113? PATENT OFFICE.

HUBER/1 3'. LA JOIE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTO PNEUMATIC ACTION COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF NE'W YORK.

MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE DYNAMICS OF PNEUMATICALLY-OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed August 12, 1925.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for controlling the dynamics of pneumatically operated musical instruments.

To this end the invention consists in using a governed tension in the setting pneumatics and in a novel mechanical connection between the setting pneumatics and the governing valve.

The invention will be best understood by a detailed description of the specific apparatus illustrated in the accompanying four sheets of drawings, which illustrate the best form of apparatus now known to me for practicing my invention.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a. bottom plan view of a grand player piano showing my improved controlling mechanism applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a plan on an enlarged scale of the mechanism for controlling the dynamics;

Fig. 3 is an end view thereof. looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. t is a side view thereof. looking the direction of the arrow at in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2, sho *ing the valve chest and governor for the same;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 2, showing the valve chest and one of the setting pneumatics;

F 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the governor showing the connection to the governing valve; and

Fig. 8 is a diagramn'latic view showing the music sheet, tracker and connections to the mechanism for controlling the dynamics.

Referring to the drawings and in detail,

it will be seen that I have illustrated my invention as applied to a grand player piano. A designates the tracker, which together with the music sheet controlling mechanism may be arranged in a drawer sliding under the keys. B designates the action pneumatics which may be secured to the bottom of the piano. C designates the suction producing pump which may be secured to the bottom of the piano bed and which may be driven by a. suitable motor. A conduit D extends from the pump to a block E arranged on the improved controlling mechanism. The controlling mechanism has a governing pneumatic F, the movable leaf of which has a passage which connects to Serial No. $9,739.

the block E, and which movable leaf carries a valve seat G having a laterally opening passageway. This passageway is controlled by a governing valve H, pivoted to the valve seat G, and held against the same by a spring I. It will be seen that the valve H co-operates with the valve seat G so as to work practically as a knife edged valve, whereby the adjustments hereinafter referred to can be made very accurately.

A valve chest J is mounted on top of the mechanism. A conduit K extends from the block E to a governor L, consisting of a pneumatic L. spring L and valve L constructed in any approved form, such for example as illustrated in Fig. 5. This gov ernor connects to said. valve chest and by using the same a governing tension will always be present in the valve chest while the instrument is in operation.

A series of setting pneumatics is arranged on top of the valve chest. This series may he made up of any desired number, four, P, P, P and P being illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention. These setting pneumatics are controlled by primary valves Q arranged inthe valve chest, which primary valves are connected by tubes T, T T and T to openings 1, 2. 3 and 4 in the tracker. The governing pneumatic F is normally pulled to open position by a spring U.

A walking beam TV is mounted on top of the controlling apparatus. This walking beam is shown in plan in Fig. 2. The same consists of a rod or wire bent to have two bearing sections 10-10, arms extending therefrom which carry a straight section 11 and an extending operating arm 12. A link 13 is connected to the arm 12 and adjustably connected to a rod 14 extending into the governing pneumatic F and connected to the pivoted governing valve H. The portion or section 11 of the walking beam is normally held in raised position by a spring R. Arms S extend from the movable wings of the setting pneumatics and have pieces of felt on the under sides thereof, so that the arms can engage softly with the straight section 11 of the walking beam W. Adjustable stops S, S S and S are arranged to co-operate with these arms S and to adjust the collapsing action of the setting pneumatics P, P P and P so that than the pneumatic-s P and P", if desired.

By this arrangement the pneumatic P will lift the governing valve H a certain distance,

, the pneumatic P a further distance, the

pneumatic P a further distance a-nd the pneumatic P a still further distance. By adjusting the stops S, 3 ,8 and 8* these throws may be varied so that tour increasing openings of the valve seat G can be obtained. This gives a device by Winch nve tensions can be obtained, namely the normal tension when none of the setting neumatics is called into operation, and in addition any one ofthe settings obtained by any one of the four setting pneumatics. These tensions can be adjusted so that a progressive series of tensions is available for the action pneumatics.

By the arrangements described, these tensions'will be applied according to the cut ting of the music sheet and thus the dynamics of the playing of a piece of music can be controlled. By continuously changing from one tension to another by the perforations in the music sheet, a very beautiful rendition of thepiece of music can be obtained. The pneumatios operating'the hammer rail sections and the pneumatic operating the loud pedal may also be controlled from the valve chest. I V

By using a governed'tension in the-valve chest the adjustments will very easily take place and by using the walking beam construction previously described the adjustments will be powerfully and positively made.

The r The 7 details and arrangements herein shown and described may be greatly varied by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of my invention as expressed 1 in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. In a mechanism for controlling the dynamics of a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination of the action pncumatics and tracker, apump, a tension controlling device consisting of a governing pneumatic, spring and governing valve, and means to set the governing valve positively to difierent positions consisting of a valve chest, a series of setting pneumatics connected thereto, primary valves for the setting pneumatics, tubes extending from the tracker to the primary valves, connections from the setting pncumatics to the governing valve, a conduit extending from the-valve chest to the pump, and a governor for controlling the tension in the valve chest.

2. In a mechanism for controlling the dy-' namics of a pneumatically operated musical instrun'ient, the combination of the action pneumatics and tracker, a pump, and a ten sion controlling device consisting of a governing pneumatic, spring and governing valve, and means to set the valve to different positions consisting of a series of setting pneumatics having difierent throws controlled trom openings in the tracker and a walking beam connected to the valve and operated by said setting pneumatics.

- In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

HUBERT J. LA J 0113. 

